Any writer of anything more meaningful than a text message or business email knows the frustration of expressing an idea that simply doesn’t have it’s own word(s). Instead of struggling to explain that I yearn for some solitude and tranquility among silent pine trees, it turns out I can just blurt “Waldeinsamkeit” to a passing German and get my message across.
Where the English lexicon falls short, other languages may fill the gap in delightful ways. The wide availability of online translations and dictionaries makes it easy to turn to Latin, Russian, or Mandarin as needed. Now there’s Untranslatable, a delightful illustrated ABC guide by Fuchsia Macaree, to convert 26 concepts into words you may not have known you needed.
Points of caution before you diagnose your hero with qualunquismo (Italian: apathy and indifference towards politics) after his criminal conviction or gather your characters for fika (Swedish: relaxed social event with good friends, involving coffee and pastries) at Aunt Emerald’s cottage:
- The Chicago Manual of Style (16th) advises: “Italics are used for isolated words and phrases in a foreign language if they are likely to be unfamiliar to readers (but see 7.52). If a foreign word becomes familiar through repeated use throughout a work, it need be italicized only on its first occurrence. If it appears only rarely, however, italics may be retained.” (7.46)
- Unless the meaning is unmistakably clear in context, a definition in footnote or parentheses is recommended and probably appreciated.
- Unless you are a native speaker of the language you’re using, consult a fluent person (not just a dictionary) to ensure neither you nor your characters look/sound foolish.
- Considering the amount of trouble a careful writer will take to properly use an unfamiliar foreign word, limit your use to instances when the fit is perfect for your purpose.